The subject of what separates art and graphic design has been debated for what seems like forever. Artists and designers both create visuals, but their reasons for doing so are quite different. So what exactly is the difference between art and design? (1)
Dictionary.com defines art as the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing or of more than ordinary significance.
The creation of art spans the entire history of humankind, from prehistoric times to today. Whether you observe caveman paintings or Botticelli angels, you can find visual arts that challenge your creative side and inspire you to find beauty in man made forms. (2) Art is a tug of war between the head (analytical level) and the heart (emotional level). Art moves between the "classical" and the "romantic," or head and heart. On the classical end, art focuses on ideas and logic (head). On the romantic end, you find passion and feelings (heart). Most artists are a combination of both attributes. While the artist studies to learn the mental and technical skills, he/she needs to follow his/her heart. (3)
Dictionary.com defines graphic design as the art or profession of visual communication that combines images, words and ideas to convey information to an audience, especially to produce a specific effect. Graphic design is a creative process — most often involving a client and a designer that focuses on visual communication and presentation of a specific message to a targeted audience. (4)
Since prehistoric times, people have given visual form to ideas and concepts, in order to store knowledge in graphic form, and bring order and clarity to information. While graphic design was only recognized as a profession in the early twentieth century, archaeologists have discovered 270 pieces of engraved ostrich eggshell, which date to around 60,000 years ago, from a site called Diepkloof in South Africa’s Western Cape province. The fragments are now considered the “earliest evidence of a graphic tradition among prehistoric hunter-gatherer populations.” (5)
Designers are social commentators of their time. Simply stated: we design in response to things that are happening around us. 60,000 years ago, prehistoric hunter-gatherers were doing just that! Many history books designate the late 1800s, early 1900s as the beginning of graphic design as a legit profession. It was a time of commotion and change that altered all aspects of the human condition: social, political, cultural, and economic character of life was in upheaval. Changes in technology led to changes in methods of mass communication. America and Europe became more consumer-driven and graphic design was an important cultural force that vocalized this change. The industrial revolution brought with it many mass-produced items that needed product differentiation. Graphic design and branding gave unique personalities and voices to these otherwise identical products and companies.
If you follow the history of art and graphic design you can draw connections between both fields. Fine art influenced graphic design and graphic design influenced fine art. No one was or is creating in a bubble. I can cite hundreds of examples supporting this sentiment so let’s just take it as an objective statement. (If you really want examples, write me back and I’ll get them for you!)
Whether you are a fine artist or a graphic designer, doesn’t your process of creating begin by staring at a blank canvas? A work of art stems from having a viewpoint, opinion or feeling that you hold within yourself. Art is anything that stems from our creative side. Any body of work that expresses feelings, symbolizes emotions, that shows something that would be impossible to express through mathematical formulas could technically be considered art. Many artists believe their creative side comes from something that can’t be explained — it disputes logic. (6)
Perhaps it is the intended result that is the true determining factor here. Fine art is produced for art's sake, whether it is for personal expression or commissioned, the finished piece is a work of art. A fine artist expresses his/her feelings when creating. Whatever the medium (oil, acrylic, water color, collage, photography, charcoal, etc), they pour their heart and soul into the creation of the piece. This is an extremely internal, personal journey of self-expression. When the piece is completed, chances are the work is shown in a gallery and exhibited to the world for all to see.
You then have 100 people come into the gallery and look at the piece. What that piece communicates to each viewer is as personal as the creation of the piece is to its creator. One person may be moved by use of color, one enraptured by the intensity of the brush strokes, and yet another may not be interested in the piece at all. This is an extremely personal experience for us all. The end result doesn’t really matter as long as you walk away feeling something.
Now let’s talk a bit about a graphic design work. In most cases, a graphic designer is trying to solve a communication problem through the effective use of type and image. There is a specific goal established at the onset of the creative process. That being said, the way you create type and image can be as personal and varied as the different mediums a fine artist uses. I encourage you to use your own voice, insight, ideas, perspective, illustrations, photography, writing, hand drawn typography, your own... in the creation of your visual communication. The use of fine art in the creation of your type and image equates to the work being unique and one-of-a-kind. This means your work has a platform to stand out from the endless parade of other designs that consumers come in contact with. Embrace spontaneity and hunt for “happy accidents” in your work. Creative exploration can result in the discovery of a single, unique idea you can build an entire campaign upon. This “leave no creative stone unturned” exploration means a fine art foundation is built into every graphic design solution.
The true difference between fine art and graphic design (in my opinion) comes into play when we bring those 100 people into the equation. The goal is to get those 100 different people who are doing 100 different things to stop what they are doing, interact with the design (not just passively observe it), comprehend the message and ultimately invite the viewer to become involved, get them to act for a cause, educate, and inform. In the simplest of terms, inspire and motivate the viewer to do something! It isn’t enough to have the viewer walk away from the piece feeling something. In order for visual communication to be successful action needs to occur.
Do you know how hard it is to get those 100 different people to take the exact same action?!
Of course, I’m curious. What are your thoughts on the difference between fine art and graphic design?
Below are some excellent resources you might want to reference if you are exploring art and graphic design in greater detail.
Art vs. Graphic Design
Graphic Design vs. Art
Blog Resources:
(1) http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2009/09/the-difference-between-art-and-design/
(2) http://www.arthistory.net/
(3) http://www.ndoylefineart.com/artmaking.html
(4) http://www.decographic.net/graphic_design_miami.html
(5) http://hyperallergic.com/3514/news-13/
(6) http://www.ringsurf.com/online/1306-arts.html
“Intended result that is the true determining factor here” I agree with this statement very much. I feel that when I do a fine art piece I am more thinking of what’s inside of me when you are doing a graphic design it can be from/for me but most of the time this medium is for a client. It all still comes out of me making it all art To me this is one of my favorite things about art you can find it anywhere and in almost any form. I have a friend that showed me an article in National Geographic about Rock Art on a cave wall in the rain forest of eastern Borneo. This art was done by chewing up the gravel and then spiting it over their hands. Like I was saying you can find art in all forms the purpose just may be different. Site: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/06/photogalleries/cave-art-handprints-missions-pictures/photo2.html
ReplyDeleteAlley,
ReplyDeleteThis point truly connected with me: "when I do a fine art piece I am more thinking of what’s inside of me when doing a graphic design piece it can be from/for me but most of the time this medium is for a client." You have multiple plates spinning at the same time when working with a client. You want to satisfy the client's needs of course, but also need to express your creativity. Finding a balance is key.
The only time in my design career the client's needs weren't weighed so heavily was when I was attending grad school. For the first time, I was my own client. What a refreshing, journey of self-discovery that experience was! I still carry with me the lessons learned during that journey.
Thank you so much for including the link. Now that's an innovative medium if I ever did see one!